North American Vampire Council & Past Calling (Hypernaturals 12 & 13)

One Week Less Than Forever

Denise was pretty adroit in how she defused that. Since we will not be stopping out in the middle of nowhere, as is often the case, I changed the subject. I did not need more images in my head of Denise responding to my efforts. We are already running behind the rest of the family. Morgan, Jessica, Angel, and Vera left before we did in the Honda. We stopped at the office to talk to Luciana since she is covering. Anne is at Boot Camp already too.

"A human/Vampire cross. A mother with no Ninovan heritage you can find. In Ninovan that mix would be an Astral, but as this is pure human/Vampire, Astral baby is not assured or even likely. We may have something different or new. New for us: Who knows how this all worked ten thousand plus years ago? Did Anne say what the poor mother plans to do with the child?" I asked.

"You did not ask her any of these things?" Denise asked, eyebrow arched.

"No. She was in a hurry to get going. Also, she called me 'boss' so I was pissed off. I am still planning my tenfold retribution. This shall not pass unanswered." I replied.

"Poor boy. People respecting you."

"That is not respect." I parried.

"It started that way: then you let us know your weak spot." Denise said.

"It was that or keep hearing it for centuries. Now you know it comes with a price." I said.

"Not as if you are going to cut me off from sex. I got over the Conclave Rules thing I imposed on us, and you are happy about that." Denise correctly pointed out.

"I'm not stupid. Also, I am not the only one happy about it." I looked offended.

"No, you are not stupid and yes, I am happy I can make love with my future husband whenever possible. I also am not stupid. To answer your question: yes. Anne asked what the mother plans to do. She'll have and keep the child, so no adoption possibilities. Helen is going through the financial records of Alexander and setting up a baby trust fund. Birth through eight years of college. Alexander does not have a lot of money for a Vampire his age, but he has more than enough to support this baby. Victoria gave Helen clearance to drain his accounts appropriately. Anne had the pleasure of informing Alexander that was part of his probation. Child support. Anne says he was unhappy Helen found and accessed his accounts so easily." This idea caused Denise to be very amused. "I mean: Has he met Helen? Does he know nothing about how Vampire finance works? You know Helen; She'll make it grow inside the special trust fund even better than how it was previously invested. The little girl will never be hungry. It's up to the mother to raise her right, and we'll be watching that. We need to be sure she does not have any Vampire based special abilities." Denise said.

Funny I have to learn what Helen is up to via Denise. Helen avoids talking to me about Council at home. Part of her 'I'm sorry I fucked up'. We talk about history, wine, beer, kids, changes to the house, sex, pool time, and stuff like that. Council topics we avoid. If she and Rachel are talking Council and I come into the room, it stops.

I am sad about that at one level, and I like it at another. Helen is working so hard to make up for the anal screwing she gave me with Council duty. She finally understands deep down how much I hate this.

"If Alexander had to pay for his hundred-plus kids down the centuries and all at once, he would not have a dime." I said.

"True. Sad the guy is so bad in bed and has such an enormous ego. His likes what his pheromones do to women and how it artificially creates their enthusiasm for him in the sack. He does not have to be an excellent lover. Just dose them. They do all the work after that, and it only takes twice with the same women in a brief span of time, and Alexander is leaving behind another kid he will not raise. With a human, it's even easier, since they cycle all the time. A nose full of Alexander at the wrong time of the month, the ovum says 'come on in'."